February 2, 1921, 3 p.m.
From Petrograd, Comrade Zorin¹ requests urgent notification to Vladimir Ilyich.

From negotiations with Comrade Stalin² regarding Comrade Zinoviev's departure, it has emerged that Comrade Zinoviev must leave. Meanwhile, from the economic standpoint in Petrograd, affairs are not in particularly good shape — the mood is tense. The Putilov factory has ceased work because workers are not receiving rations. The same situation exists at the Baltic factory and at a whole series of others. The garrison is in an even worse position regarding provisions. It is in debt to Petrocommune for 50,000 puds. Special efforts would be necessary to organize fuel supplies and general political leadership.

Meanwhile, in connection with the party discussion, leading comrades are absent — neither Comrade Evdokimov⁴ nor Lashevich⁵ nor Comrade Zinoviev is present.

Considers it necessary to report that the absence of Comrades Zinoviev and Lashevich may have a bad effect on the general situation. Requests urgent notification to Vladimir Ilyich's office regarding Comrade Zinoviev's departure.

The train leaves soon. Requests urgent notification*.

¹ Zorin, S. S. — secretary of the Petrograd provincial committee.

² Stalin, I. V. — in 1921, member of the presidium of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic, member of the Politburo of the CC of the Russian Communist Party.

³ This concerns G. Zinoviev's departure to Yekaterinburg in early February 1921 to participate in the provincial party conference before the Tenth Party Congress. To deliver a report and defend his platform, on the eve of G. Zinoviev's departure, L. Trotsky traveled to Yekaterinburg.

⁴ Evdokimov, G. — member of the Petrograd provincial committee and provincial executive committee.

⁵ Lashevich, M. M. — member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Western Front.